Fiction Scribe

To have this be the best writing site it can be, I want to cover all types of writing. However, I haven’t written or even tried writing every single type of writing. Other types and genres I have written, I still don’t feel confident enough to speak with authority on.

So, when in doubt, I like to bring you words of writers I admire.

I’ve been reading this woman’s poetry for a long time, and she is, by far, one of my favorite poets. It was only natural I thought of her when I wondered who I would interview about poetry. It’s my pleasure to bring you an interview with Jen Wills, one of the administrators of one of my favorite places to hang out - Literary Mary.

Warning: Some adult language

Hi there. Why don’t you take a moment to introduce yourself to the readers?

Well, I am ms. vodka, also known as Jen Wills. I am the owner and one of the administrators of www.LiteraryMary.com. I’m primarily a poet, but occasionally write other things although most of my time lately has been consumed with school. I’m a mother of four children, two boys ages 9 and 5 and twin babies, a boy and a girl who are now 8 months old. Man, I’m freakishly busy.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was about 12 years old or so. And I’m 33 now so that’s, oh my god… 21 years? Holy shit.

Did you start off writing poetry or another form?

I started writing poetry. Although I wrote some really bad song lyrics for a few months.

What is it you like about poetry?

I enjoy how poetry is so compact, how everything you need to say or want to say is packed into a few lines or stanzas. I enjoy the complexity, the challenge. I enjoy how each little piece is almost like a photograph, a snapshot. I enjoy the chance to climb into someone else’s head.

Anything you don’t like about poetry?

Hmm. I don’t like how when I write a piece, I almost never feel like it is finished. I don’t like people who feel that one form is better than another, although it does not bother me when people prefer one form to another.

Do you prefer structured poetry or freeverse?

Ah-well- there we go. I prefer to write freeverse because, for me - I feel that it allows me to express my exact thoughts better than structured poetry. I don’t like being forced into rhyme, which for me brings about use of words which don’t represent exactly what I’m trying to convey. Although I admire people who can write well in structure, I simply find it too limiting. Although recently I did write a sonnet and found that I enjoyed it. When reading, though - I’ll read anything. As long as it’s good, as long as the writer is being true to themselves, I’ll devour it.

Are you a published poet? Do you pursue getting published?

Yes, I am a published poet. I’ve been in a couple different literary journals. I don’t pursue publication very actively right now because I’m so busy with school and other things. Also, I don’t necessarily feel that I’m quite ready. I’d like to do some more studying before I truly throw myself into publication. I rest easy in the fact that Bukowski did not start writing poetry I think until he was 35. That gives me a couple of years before I conquer the world of Literature. Also, eventually I’d like to take LiteraryMary into print. Creating a journal from the site is something gigi and I have been interested in for quite some time.

What poets do you find inspiring?

I am currently in the process of attempting to read everything Charles Bukowski has ever written. I think if I ever get to the point where I cannot appreciate his work anymore then somewhere my appreciation of poetry has taken a wrong turn. I am also a huge fan of Arthur Rimbaud. I enjoy the work of Anne Sexton and plan on diving into her writing full force whenever I can find the time. I am partial to Rod McKuen as he was my mother’s all time favorite. Also, I am quite inspired by a lot of our poets [at Literary Mary]. johnjohndoe has always been an inspiration to me. So have j.r. maclean, dannyboy, gigi, mesmer, Ilan Bouchard, Pawn from WritingForums.com writes some of the most mindblowingly beautiful things I have ever read. There are so many I’ve encountered from WritingForums and from here there’s really too many for me to mention. I’m truly spoiled that way. Also, many lyricists are a huge inspiration.

Do you have a muse? If so, who or what is it?

I don’t really have a true muse. I get inspiration from my life, from the people who enter and exit my life - the people who stay. I never force anything. Mostly I just let it build and build within and then explode when it has to. If it doesn’t, then I don’t bother. I simply wait.

As far as poetry goes, is there anything you know now that you wished you had known back when you started?

I wish I would have known not to force it. I wish I would have known not to be afraid when it’s quiet. I wish I would have known better than to ever think it was a pursuit which was too silly, because for about a decade I didn’t write. I viewed it as something childish.

What are your guilty pleasures - if any - while writing?

I prefer to write in pencil, very sharp pencil in a spiral notebook, a regular lined college notebook. I like to write when I’m drunk or stoned but I only edit when I’m sober. I will write anywhere when inspiration hits though and often times find myself digging for a piece of paper to scribble on because I can never actually remember to bring a notebook with me.

Any other comments for all the other poets and writers out there?

I think the most important thing for any poet is to discover their voice, discover what feels the most comfortable to you and then be true to yourself. Don’t worry about writer’s block. It always comes and it always leaves. Remember that you can make a poem out of almost anything in the world as long as you write it well. Learn the rules so you can break them well. Don’t ever let critique make you want to stop writing and don’t ever let rejection letters make you want to stop writing. Write for yourself and everything else will follow.

Thank you very much for your time.

Did you like this interview? Do you have any questions for Jen that you would like answered? Comment here and I’ll set up a part two to the interview.